Murder Mystery In New Mexico

Nine true tales and many remain official mysteries. Includes material on Vigilantes of Socorro, Billy The Kid, Black Jack, Navajo crime, and "Woo Dak San and the Bird."

UNSOLVED There are few subjects that fascinate people as much as New Mexico and a good mystery. New Mexico has always been an enigmatic place, filled with rich history. This book explores and examines forty-four of New Mexico's most baffling mysteries, which lure the curious and beg for investigation even though their solutions have eluded experts, many for decades. Many relate to the death or disappearance of some of the best-known lawmen and outlaws in history - Sheriffs Pat Garrett, Les Dow, and William Brady, as well as Jesse Evans, Russian Bill Tethenborn, Bronco Bill Walters, and Mysterious Dave Mather, while others involve mysterious tales and legends of lost mines and treasures. And who can forget the UFO incident at Roswell? All this told by a former lawman and journalist who is one of the region's leading historians, Don Bullis; Bullis also happens to be an award-winning author of over a dozen best-selling books on New Mexico's past. Leave it to Bullis, respected writer and historian, to open my eyes to a whole new world of outlaws, crooked politicians, puzzling crimes and surreal occurrences....With a reporter's affection for the hard questions, a novelist's approach to bringing characters to life, and an historian's attention to details, he has assembled a stellar collection of New Mexico's mysteries, famous and obscure. - Anne Hillerman, author of Spider Woman's Daughter

The murder of 18-year-old Ovida "Cricket" Coogler in 1949 launched a series of court inquiries and trials that would reshape the direction of New Mexico politics and expose political corruption. Paula Moore examines the infamous murder and the events that unfolded in its wake.University of New Mexico Press

This mystery showcases the spectrum of New Mexico culture, from the Anasazi to the Space Age. Raised a New Mexico rocket base kid, Lily Ann Bailey learns at the age of 30 that her blood father was Damon Windsinger, a Cheyenne Indian. At the Indian trader's store where she works in Albuquerque, she sees some crystals, precious gems, that just don't seem right. When her childhood friend Cati Melendrez, a laser research engineer, is found murdered in the desert, apparently the victim of drugs and gangs, Lily Ann finds herself at the center of an astonishing plan that could change the world forever.--

These are but a few of the incidents of murder, mystery, and mayhem that make the Rio Abajo such a treasure trove of intriguing history for local residents and historians alike. This volume is an attempt to preserve some of the most interesting of these many cases of murder, mystery, and mayhem - ranging from heinous murders to bold train robberies, from religious miracles to unsolved mysteries, and from accounts of earthquakes to reports of terrible disease. All took place in the Rio Abajo, defined as Valencia and Socorro counties in north-central New Mexico. So, put on your deerslayer cap and join us as we explore some of the most famous and least-well-known history of New Mexico's most colorful region, the Rio Abajo. Murder, mystery and mayhem have played an often tragic, yet significant and exciting role in New Mexico history. The authors have utilized a wide variety of sources to bring us a broad spectrum of true stories of murder, mystery, and mayhem that vividly demonstrate how these elements have made New Mexico's history so fascinating. - Robert J. Torrez, former New Mexico State Historian and author of Myth of the Hanging Tree. These stories all share one thing: They are fascinating. They are also addictive. Once you start reading these stories, you will not be able to stop until you have read them all. And you will still want more. It is amazing that these historical events, from the late 1500s to the present day, all took place in the relatively small geographical area of what is now Valencia, Socorro, and Cibola Counties in central New Mexico. It is also interesting that most of the mysteries included in this volume remain unsolved. The authors of the stories in this book are first rate historians and scholars, but they are also spellbinding story tellers. This is a powerful combination and it means that this book will appeal to both the serious history community and casual readers alike. - Baldwin G. Burr, President, Valencia County Historical Society

In August 1863, during Kit Carson’s roundup of the Navajo, Santa Fe’s Provost Marshal, Major Joseph Cummings, is found dead in an arroyo near what is now the Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona. The murder, as well as the roughly million of today’s dollars in cash and belongings in his saddlebags, is historically factual. Carson’s explanation that he was shot by a lone Indian, which, even today, can be found in the U.S. Army Archives, is implausible. Who did kill Carson’s “brave and lamented” Major? The answer is revealed in this tale of a group of con artists operating in 1861–1863 in the New Mexico and Arizona Territories. As a matter of historical fact, millions of today’s dollars were embezzled from the Army, the Church, and the New Mexico Territory during this time. In this fictionalized version, the group includes the aide de camp of the Territories’ Commanding General of the Union Army, a poker dealer with a checkered past in love with one of her co-conspirators, and the Provost Marshal of Santa Fe. It is an epic tale of murder and mystery, of staggering thefts, of love and deceit. Both a Western and a Civil War novel, this murder mystery occurs in and among Cochise’s Chiricahua Apache Wars, the Navajo depredations and wars, Indian Agent Kit Carson’s return to action from retirement, and the Civil War. The story follows the con artists, some historical, some fictional, during their poker games, scams, love affairs, and bank robberies, right into that arroyo deep in the heart of Navajo country. Includes Readers Guide.

"The evidence pointed at three men, former deputies William McNew, James Gililland, and Oliver Lee. These three men, however, were very close with powerful ex-judge, lawyer, and politician Albert B. Fall. It was even said by some that Fall was the mastermind behind the plot to kill Fountain. Forced to wait two years for a change in the political landscape, Garrett finally presented his evidence to the court and secured indictments against the three suspects." "The trial took place in the secluded town of Hillsboro. The murders of the Fountains became an afterthought as the accused men, defended by their attorney Fall, pleaded innocence. Missing witnesses plagued the prosecution, and armed supporters of the defendants, who packed the courtroom, intimidated others. The verdict: not guilty.".

Artist Anne Devon Hunter's life is changed in one, tragic day, with the murder of her husband, world renowned Author, Jack Hunter. She is suddenly thrown into a world of terror, as whoever is behind his murder seems to be looking for something from Jack's past. A past that Anne has little knowledge of. Detective Rick Velarde is assigned to the Hunter case, and as he delves deeper into the murder of Jack Hunter, he comes face-to-face with ghosts from his past, as well. A past he has long avoided. Both Anne and Rick travel a perilous road as they try to uncover the sinister plot behind Jack's death. Through this journey, they discover themselves and find true healing. Set in Albuquerque and parts of Northern New Mexico, some of the distinctive culture, food and traditions of the Land of Enchantment are brought to life. Enjoy the inter-twining of los colores de Nuevo Mexico (the colors of New Mexico) set against a backdrop of mystery and intrigue.

Part of our new and growing Myths and Mysteries series, Myths and Mysteries of New Mexico explores unusual phenomena, strange events, and mysteries in the Land of Enchantment's history. Each episode included in the book is a story unto itself, and the tone and style of the book is lively and easy to read for a general audience interested in New Mexico history.